Claire Sawicki

Claire Grieve Sawicki, loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt, and friend to many, passed away on September 27, 2024, at the age of 80.

Legacy

 She is survived by daughters Beth Sawicki (Sean Lyons) of Bethesda, MD; Lisa Sawicki of Philadelphia, PA; and Trina Morrison (Jeff) of North Wildwood, NJ; son Greg Sawicki (Sara Felicia) of Shamong, NJ; and granddaughters Kayla Felicia, Caitlin Regan, Rachel Regan, Alessandra Morrison, and Mazie Sawicki. She was predeceased by her husband Tom, parents Anna (Keyser) and Robert Grieve, sister Gail Gibbons, and niece Susan Gibbons.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Claire met her husband, Tom, at The Shamrock in Wildwood, New Jersey (where all fairytale romances blossom). While it wasn't quite love at first sight, they were soon inseparable and married in 1967. They later moved to South Jersey and settled in Clarksboro, where she lived for more than 40 years. Although Tom passed away in 2004 and she missed him greatly, we are comforted to know that they have been reunited and are likely having one hell of a party in heaven with many treasured friends and family. She and our dad taught us the importance of having a large chosen family, and we were – and continue to be – surrounded by unwavering love and support from the Sudnicks/Bucks, Pavlishins, Ciccotellis, Provenchers, Melonis, and many more friends we cherish like family.

Although she regaled us with stories about the years she worked at "the phone company," we knew her best as a stay-at-home mom and surrogate mother to many. She ran a childcare center from her home for more than 20 years, nurturing and caring for countless babies, toddlers, and children in the area, many of whom became a second family to us all. She was incredibly generous, never forgot a birthday, and sent Christmas gifts (usually a Lenox ornament – her 'signature' present) to dozens of nieces, nephews, and family friends. She kept track of many birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and other historic events on her calendar, and had hundreds of greeting cards on hand, ready to send to loved ones for Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, or just to say hello. She was a stickler for thank you notes, and hers were legendary.

She prided herself on being first on the dance floor at parties and wedding receptions and always had a list of song requests for the DJ. Her favorite cocktail was a Brandy Alexander, even though everyone knew she was a lightweight. She loved vacationing at Disney World with her family, and we joked that she was her very own "Make A Wish" foundation because she often gifted her Disney Vacation Club points to others so they could make their own memories at the happiest place on earth. She sewed the most creative Halloween costumes for her kids, made the best chicken and dumplings, and taught herself to make Gołąbki (Polish stuffed cabbage), which was our dad's favorite (though she never did master how to make babka). She enjoyed shopping and loved to tell the story of how she once bought 8 pairs of shoes at a store in Lancaster, mostly because they carried her size (5). And speaking of shoes, although most comfortable in casual clothes, she prided herself on always matching her shoes to her bag when she dressed up, or "put on the dog," as she liked to say. She loved a good cup of tea (only Tetley, never Lipton), considered chocolate to be its own food group, and was a connoisseur of chocolate mousse and tiramisu. She was an avid reader – particularly books about American/European History and the Royal Family, as well as the Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and "Killing" series – and she kept her People Magazine subscription right until the end. She very proudly never learned to pump her own gas, so it's a good thing she lived most of her life in New Jersey.

Although a dementia diagnosis several years ago slowly robbed Claire of her memory and her independence, she never lost her gentleness towards and concern for others, and we still saw the occasional glimmer of the hilarious, sarcastic (and somewhat inappropriate) mom we knew so well. She will be remembered as unfailingly kind, exceedingly generous, fiercely loyal, and incredibly loving. We know she was loved by and will be missed by many.

Farewell Tribute

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Monday, October 7th from 6:00PM to 8:00PM and Tuesday, October 8th from 9:00AM to 10:15AM in the McGuinness Funeral Home (Woodbury Location) 34 Hunter Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096.  Funeral Service at 11:00AM in St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, 230 North Evergreen Avenue, Woodbury, NJ 08096.  Interment to follow in Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro, NJ.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association -www.alz.org/desjsepa. 

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